redneckrigger

Started on the upper house assembly tonight. Got the deck and the crane drive drum and boom support side plates all cut out. Got the gear drive system somewhat figured out. This is going to be a build all by itself!

That is absolutely beautiful. Great work!!! The details are superb.

Now THATS a pretty cool idea!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just got a headache even THINKING about making two of these monsters! All kidding aside, I do admit there is a certain something about seeing it in the raw state. Kind of like looking at an awesome 1/35 scale build of an armored vehicle that has a lot of scratchbuilding and photo etched, and resin parts included. It looks really cool to see it before it all gets covered with paint! The photos I take of the build in progress will have to suffice. But, it's been two years since I started it with LOTS to go yet, so it may NEVER see paint. Whoever inherits it after I'm gone can worry about it!

I am truly humbled by all the great words about this and other builds I’ve done. This one is all consuming but to be truthful, I am not as happy with it at this stage as with previous builds. It is unique, and I have ties with the real one, so I find myself being hyper critical with the details, even in this undetailed stage. The parts that are not square, level or finished perfectly are driving me crazy. But in time they will all be addressed. Until then, I thank you all for the encouragement and great words!

I have thought of that!

Added the front counterweight supports, attached the exhaust and the air intake and filter, and made up the cab door. The basics of the carrier are almost done. Lots of truing, squaring, and surface finishing, and of course, detailing to do, but the main parts are in place. Will move on to the crane upper house real soon!

This is an incredibly well done build. In today's world, it is becoming less far fetched every day. That said, the details are wonderful, and the whole package works. But, the part that I notice the most is the absolutely stunning weathering. The rust patterns, the freshly torch cut metal, the welds, the dirt and grime etc. are PERFECT!

Beautiful sub build! A true trend setter in the sub world. Had that one when I was a kid. Am just starting a 1/72 U Boat build with all the internal compartments. Kind of daunting, but a good change of pace when the dreaded builder's block rears it's ugly head!

Little mockup of the Detroit 8V71 with exhaust and air filter in place. Just roughed in for fit. Also installed the carrier fuel tanks and filler necks.

Got the carrier cab about done, instrument panel, pedals, heater, shifter for transmission and creeper gears, seat, and steering wheel, which is just placed into position and will need to be attached to lip of dashboard. Still have to make door and windows and gaskets, though the windows and gaskets won’t get installed until after paint. Also made up the deck plates and the rest of the pontoons.

Looking great....................LOVE the 'binders!

That is SERIOUSLY fantastic Charlie! Where did you source the engine?

The first one was just a trial run for proof of concept on how to make it. Since it came out okay, after a couple scrap efforts, the next three will be all done at once.

Just got the first pontoon roughed together. Need to add lift handles and latches and fill the seams but it has the general shape. Lots of cut, fit, cut, fit, scrap, do all over again, but it works!

Thank you! I actually have neither, but I do persevere! I used to work with these beasts, and I draw from memory what they were and that helps me build them.

Got the pontoon, dunnage and tool storage all done. Made up the deckplates as well. This is starting to look like the real deal! Started on the pontoons with the base with the beveled edges.

Yeah, and the upper and the boom are so complex that they will be like two completely separate builds! Lovin’ it!

Just got the front and rear carrier fenders all fabbed up and installed. Now on to the fuel tanks, hydraulic tank, pontoons, and side trays for storage of dunnage, pontoons and tools. Then make up the floor plates and then finish the cab and door and windows. But it’s getting there!

The carrier still has LOTS of work to do, not even counting cleaning up all of the parts and pieces and all of the rough surfaces, but it's coming along! Truly appreciate all of the great comments and advice from everyone. I will continue to try to get more work done on it and updated here to the forums. I think the reason I find scratch building so much fun is that it allows not only building something cool, but also stimulates my brain, which is important as I get older. More to come soon!

Just finished the outrigger assembly mounting supports on the carrier. Got the lift cylinders done and installed. Need to fabricate the beam extension cylinders and the pontoons now and then on to a bunch more to finish the carrier......cab, fenders, powertrain, brakes, storage compartments, fuel tank, lots and lots more and then on to the upper works and then the boom. This is like three separate builds, carrier, upper, and boom. Loving working on this beast!

Getting better all the time Brian!!!

Looks great Brian. Love the IH cabovers. BTW, my workbench is absolutely infested with squirrels!

This sure is an oldie, as is it's little brother also shown here. Got both of them in an antique shop for $20 for the pair. With the scratchbuilding I do, it has become priceless. And, yup, it could make me into a three fingered Tom in a heartbeat! But I like my fingers attached to my hands, so I am VERY careful. And, yes it does cut sheet aluminum as well as brass. When I do thin brass and aluminum with it, I use a "cover sheet" which is just a heavy steel ruler, that I put over the part still on the cutting board, right up against the blade and hold pressure on it over the sheet. This helps me prevent curling of the edge of the cut. All in all a VERY handy tool

Looks to be a build, or three, worth following!